Greystar Real Estate Partners said Monday it has entered an agreement to buy more than 8,000 apartment units nationwide, including 1,896 in South Florida.

The $1.5 billion portfolio of 27 buildings also includes communities in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, San Francisco, southern California, Phoenix and Denver. Greystar, of Charleston, S.C., is paying $276.7 million for the South Florida buildings, but did not identify them or disclose the locations.

The deal, a joint venture with a division of Goldman Sachs & Co., is expected to close in two separate transactions during the first quarter.

South Florida businesses overall will experience growth and prosperity in 2013. That's according to a survey conducted by the Entrepreneurs' Organization South Florida.

More than 82 percent of survey respondents indicated they plan to hire more employees in 2013. They noted that technology and international business will present new opportunities. But they also identified their top challenges, including uncertainty, new tax laws and regulations related to the recent fiscal cliff crisis. Others include finding trained and talented staff, and access to working capital and growth funding from banks.

In a unique community outreach effort, totem poles will tell the story of foster families and the South Florida children who have benefited by them.

ChildNet's Art of Community project, titled Forest of Families, will help raise community awareness about the need for more foster homes while exploring the concept of families through an interactive visual arts project.

The lead child welfare agency in Broward and Palm Beach counties, will partner with the Museum of Art, Forever Family and artist Eduardo Gardin to inspire individuals and families to tell their story through carving and painting totem poles.

Once completed, the Forest of Families totem pole display will be exhibited at local businesses and parks to inspire those who view it to consider fostering and help change the lives of our community's most vulnerable children.